Yoga for Any Age

Yoga is a practice of mindful movement that benefits the body, mind, and spirit. It is a practice that is safe for most people to do regardless of your age or physical fitness level. Yoga offers many benefits such as reducing stress and the stress hormone cortisol, lowering blood pressure, building strength, and improving flexibility and range of motion. A yoga practice and the associated benefits help you feel good.

Yoga can be practiced by all ages and can be modified to fit the needs of each student. Read below to learn more about the specific benefits for different age groups.

Children

Yoga for kids has many benefits. Specifically, breathing techniques help kids to manage big emotions and can help improve focus. Kids yoga classes are often shorter, move at a quicker pace and incorporate some fun games. Look for kids yoga classes at your local gym, community ed programs and even at your child’s school.

Young Adults

Young adults often find themselves stressed and working long hours as they start out on their own and start to build their careers. Yoga can help this group by creating space to slow down and destress. In these younger years, bodies are often stronger and more flexible, so tougher poses or faster paced yoga classes can be enjoyed. The class becomes both a workout and a work in, balancing physical movement with stress relief. Look for yoga classes at your local gym or yoga studio and look for classes called Hatha, Vinyasa, Sculpt or Power Yoga.

Mid-Age Adults

At mid-age, many people find themselves becoming more sedentary and may start to develop chronic pain or illness around this time. Yoga offers a low impact way to start moving your body again, building some strength back and improving flexibility. Yoga also creates quiet space to calm the mind and relieve stress. A yoga practice at mid-age can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and help you get better sleep. Find yoga classes at your local gym or yoga studio or try private or semi-private classes to customize your practice to your needs and your schedule.

Seniors

In the Golden Years, a yoga practice helps seniors maintain or improve mobility, increase balance (which can help prevent falls), and foster a sense of community. Yoga can be performed on a mat, standing up or in a chair. Look for classes called Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, or Chair Yoga. These classes could be found at your local gym or yoga studio, through community ed programs, or scheduled privately at a senior community or convenient location.

Yoga has countless benefits for all ages and can be adjusted and modified for each student’s individual needs. Try a class and experience the benefits first-hand.

Nikki Massa is a registered yoga teacher (RYT200) and owner of True North Yoga MN. She specializes in making yoga accessible and convenient to her community in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota.